Donating a Hug

Many thanks to members of the North East branch of the Quilters Guild of the British Isles who have donated some of their handiwork to the Centre.

The colourful patterned quilts known as Linus Quilts are specially made to comfort children who are sick or in need of a hug and to give them the reassurance that comes with snuggling up in a blanket.

Project Linus originated in America in 1995 as a result of a quilter's desire to help children in need and came to the UK in 2000. Since then, over 96,000 quilts have been delivered to children's homes and hospitals, neo-natal units, special care units and various children's charities. The brightly coloured quilts are especially popular with visually impaired children.
You can find out more about Project Linus by visiting: www.projectlinusuk.org.uk

Thanks too to little Oliver Saul who modelled our quilts while waiting for his lunch in Browne's Cafe at the Centre.

Carols by Candlelight

The cold, wet weather in the lead up to Christmas didn't put a dampener on our annual Carol Service at the centre, but  the venue did move from indoors to out and back again several times before we decided to play safe.

The reception area quickly filled up and, after a brief welcome from Canon Spence, singing was led by Sarah Scott with a choir of students from Sacred Heart High School.
As well as joining in with such old favourites as "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" and of course "Silent Night" everyone enjoyed hearing the choir themselves, with some of the girls singing solos.
Canon Spence ended proceedings with a blessing before everyone went through to Browne's Cafe to round off the evening with mince pies and refreshments.

Being a toddler is hard work

 Its not easy being a toddler, you know. Mum (or Grandma) wants you to take her to the Teddy Bears Picnic so, for a start, you have to keep her entertained by jumping around in the ball pool.

Then you have to play 'pass the teddy bear' to win some sweets - although I do suspect that everyone ended up with sweets whether they got the bear or not! Then its outside to help her count the teddies hidden around the garden - a bit tricky when one of them is actually a monkey and another is a duck!
Still, it all helps to work up an appetite for the picnic in the tent.  

Of course, once you've had something to eat and a bit of a rest and you realise the sun's out, it would be a shame not to make use of the playground, wouldn't it?

They tell me that they will be doing this again next year. I suppose I'll have to bring Mum along again then. Still, it keeps her out of mischief for a while.

Now I know there's another teddy round here somewhere!

A nine hour journey for a short break - but Catherine says it's worth it!

Distance was no object when Catherine Hedger from Worthing in West Sussex decided that the Alan Shearer Centre was exactly what she needed for a short break.
Catherine (or Cat) had been searching the internet for bubble tubes for a sensory room when, quite by chance, the Alan Shearer Centre appeared in her search results. The more she read, the more determined she was to visit us.

The problem was that, at the age of 23, Cat, like many disabled people, is considered either too old (meaning over 18) or too young (under 65) to qualify for help from her local social services. When Cat sets her mind to something though, she isn't easily discouraged. She contacted all the charities she could to ask about funding and finally won the support of Worthing Lions Club, who contributed £600 towards her trip. A further £750 was donated by Elizabeth Finn Care.

Cat arrived after a nine hour rail journey from Worthing armed with her bus pass and a list of places she wanted to see, including the Metro Centre and Durham. She said she loves the Centre and can't praise the staff enough. She has also found people in Newcastle more accepting and helpful towards disabled people than back at home - where people always seem to be in a hurry and treat her as though she is in their way.

Cat has only been disabled for four years and is still adapting to a new lifestyle. She had been an average teenager until a night out with friends in 2005 when her drink was 'spiked' with the drug GHB. The drug triggered a siezure which left her with a number of disabilities. She has since been involved in helping to publicise the dangers of the drug - and of leaving your drinks unattended.

She sees her break at the Centre as a holiday for her family too. She says she "loves them to bits", but it's good for everyone to have some time apart. Funding permitting, she hopes to make the Centre an annual holiday.